Multiple utility racks



. Spt. 8, 1959 E. N. BROWN 2,903,137

MULTIPLE UTILITY RACKS Filed July 15, 1957 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent MULTIPLE UTILITY RACKS Edward N. Brown, Alhambra,Calif. Application July 15, 1957, Serial No. 671,899

11 Claims. (Cl. 211-26) This invention relates to utility racks ingeneral and, in particular, to a multiple utilityrack that iseconomical- 1y made of wire and is adapted for extended use by addingadditional trays.

As is well known in the prior art, particularly with relation to floraldisplays, racks made from wire forms are common. Such racks, however,are usually of unitary construction and are not adapted to variousmodifications and additions.

It is an object of my invention, therefone, to supply a basic unit rackwhich is adapted to hold various objects, particularly electric lampbulbs.

Another object of my invention is to provide a basic unit rack which isadapted to receive and support one 'or more additional utility trays.

A further object of my invention is to provide a basic unit'rack whichis adapted to support one or more utility trays which may be added orremoved as desired.

.A still further object of my invention isto provide a basic unitrack'with one or more utility trays suspended therefrom, all such racksand trays being constructed of wire forms which may be formed andassembled with H Other objects and advantages of my invention willappear in connection with the following specification and drawingwherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout theseveral views and wherein:

Figure 1v is a perspective view of my invention comprising a basic unitrack and two additional utility trays. Fig '2 is an end elevation of oneof the utility trays.

" QWithlreference to the figures, basic unit rack 10 is {formed of arectangle" of wire 11to which is attached, by spot welding or othersuitable fastening means, a multiplicity of open-ended,,' generallyhairpin-shaped, wire forms 12. These wire forms 12 have a loop orconnecting portion 14 and 'two converging legs 16. All of the loopportions 14 are fastened by brazing, soldering, or, other suitable meansto one side of the rectangle 11 while the endsof the legs 16 aresimilarly secured to the opposite side of the rectangle 11. Acurvilinear longitudinal wire 18 is provided to form a brace for thelwirefforms 12 and is'so curved with relation to the loop portions 14and the'legs 16 as'to form properly shaped receptacles for the supportofthe electric lamp bulbs placed therein This longitudinal wire 18 may besecured to the ends 20 of the rectangle 11 and to the wire forms 12 byspot Welding or brazing.

T -It shouldbe noted that the longitudinal wire 18 and the wire forms 12form two types of lamp bulb sup- -p'6rts.-- I That shown as supportinglamp bulb 22 (shown --ih' hahtom) comprises an outwardly extending curve24 of the longitudinal wire 18, i.e., curve 24 extends in the samedirection as the loop portions 14, and the adjacent asides '16 of two ofthe wire forms 12. These'two adjacent sides converge rearwardly whichconvergence tends to force the lamp bulb 22 forwardly into the bight ofthe curve 24 away from the rear side 26 of the rectangle 11. The supportfor lamp bulb 28 comprises the backwardly extending curve 30 of thelongitudinal wire 18 and the forwardly extending loop portion 14 of thewire form 12.

Basic unit rack 10 is provided with two brackets 32 and 34 which aremovably hooked or secured to each of the ends 20 of the wire rectangle11. As shown, these brackets are made of a single piece of wire,generally in a triangular configuration, and have a loop 35 at .theupwardly extending apex thereof which may be used .to fasten the basicunit rack to the wall or other supporting structure. While not shown, itshould be understood that these brackets 32 and 34 will fold inwardly sothat .the basic unit rack may be packaged in a flat container or in thetop or bottom parts of a container of lamp bulbs. It should now beapparent that the configuration of the wire support holding lamp bulb 22is so formed with its rearwardly converging sides that the lamp bulbwill be held away from the wall or other structure supporting the basicunit rack 10.

Utility trays 4t) and 42 are provided to be added to and supported fromthe basic unit rack 10 and from each other as may be desired.

These utility trays comp-rise a rectangle of wire 44 having dimpled orcrimped ends 46. Downwardly extending or flat-bottomed U-shaped wires 48are provided .to shape the tray portion. These wires 48 may be spot-Welded or brazed to the longer longitudinal sides of the rectangle 44.Longitudinal braces 50 are furnished to render proper support to thewires 48 to which they are fastened, to keep them properly separated andgenerally .to strengthen the entire tray structure. 1

Each tray is provided with four supporting hooks 52, :one at each cornerof the rectangle 44. These hooks 52 are provided with an open curve orbend at its upper end for attachment to the rack or tray next abovewhile the lower end is formed with a closed curve or bend which issecured around the end 46 of the rectangle 44. The dimpled or crimpedends 46 are formed with two dimples or crimps 54 which serve the dualpurpose of keeping the hooks 52 in their proper places at the corner ofthe rectangle 44 as well as providing a hooking-on portion for the hooks52 of the tray next below. If it werenot for these dimples or crimps,the upper ends of the hooks 52 could slide together and the lower traywould be insecurely supported.

The ends 20 of the wire rectangle 11 used in the basic rack unit 10 maybe provided with crimps 54, as shown, or these crimps may be omitted forconvenience .of manufacture when the basic rack unit is sold separatelyas part of a package of electric lamp bulbs.

It can be seen that my multiple utility rack is light'in weight and maybe assembled or disassembled with equal ease. The simple wire forms arefew in number, necessitating a minimum number of jigs and fixtures forforming the two units. While I have shown the basic unit rack as beingparticularly adapted to provide a convenient and ready holder for sparelamp bulbs, it should be claims wherein I claim:

,1. A foldable wire rack for storing and supporting electric lamp bulbsor the like comprising, in combination: ,a horizontal rectangle of wirehaving two relatively long innerand outer sides and two shorter ends;foldab'le means connected to the ends of said rectangle for securingsaid rack to a Vertical supporting structure; a"p'1t1 rality ofhairpin-like wire forms secured transversely of said rectangle, saidwire forms comprising a pair of converging legs connected at theconverging end by a connecting portion, said connecting portion beingsecured to the outer side of said rectangle and the ends of saidconverging legs being secured to the inner side of said rectangle, andsaid wire forms being spaced from each other and the ends of saidrectangle whereby a substantial space is left between the adjacent legsof the wire forms and between one wire form leg and the ends of saidrectangle; and a curvilinear longitudinal wire secured to the ends ofsaid rectangle and to the legs of the said wire 'forms, said curvilinearlongitudinal wire being disposed substantially midway between the sidesof said rectangle.

2. A foldable wire rack for storing electric light bulbs and the like asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said curvilinear longitudinal wire has aseries of curves alternately extending toward the outer and inner sidesof said rectangle, the points of curvature of said curves being definedby the junctures of said curvilinear Wire with the ends of saidrectangle and the legs of said wire forms, said curves being coplanarwith said rectangle.

3. A foldable wire rack for storing electric lamp bulbs and the like asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said inwardly and outwardly extending curvesare so disposed with relation to said wire forms that an inwardlyextending curve is contained between the legs of a wire form whereby alamp bulb supporting receptacle is formed between the outwardlyextending connecting portion of said wire form, the legs of said wireform and the inwardly extending curve of said curvilinear longitudinalwire.

4. A foldable wire rack for storing electric lamp bulbs or the like asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said inwardly and outwardly extending curvesare so disposed with relation to said wire forms that an outwardlyextending curve is contained between the adjacent legs of a pair of wireforms and between a leg of a wire form and the end of said rectangleadjacent thereto whereby a lamp bulb sup porting receptacle is formedbetween the adjacent legs of said pair of wire forms, said outwardlyextending curve of said curvilinear longitudinal wire and the inner sideof said rectangle and a similar receptacle is also formed between theleg of a wire form, the end of the said rectangle adjacent thereto, saidoutwardly extending curve of said curvilinear wire and the inner side ofsaid rectangle.

5. A foldable wire rack for storing electric lamp bulbs or the like asclaimed in claim 4 wherein the said adjacent legs of said pair of wireforms converge inwardly toward said inner side of said rectangle wherebywhen said lamp bulb is placed in said receptacle formed between theadjacent legs of said pair of wire forms, said outwardly extending curveof said curvilinear longitudinal wire and a portion of the inner side ofsaid rectangle, said lamp bulb is forced outwardly toward saidcurvilinear wire and away from said inner side of said rectangle andsaid supporting structure.

6. A foldable wire rack for storing electric lamp bulbs or the likecomprising in combination: a horizontally disposed rectangle of wirehaving relatively long inner and outer sides and two shorter ends;foldable means movably connected to the ends of said rectangle forsecuring said rack to a vertical supporting structure, said inner sideof said rectangle being disposed adjacent to said supporting structure;a plurality of hairpin-like wire forms secured transversely of saidrectangle, said wire forms having a closed end and an open end with allof the closed ends secured to the outer side of said rectangle and allof the open ends secured to the inner side of said rectangle, said wireforms being spatially disposed with relation to each other and to theends of said rectangle; a curvilinear longitudinal wire brace secured tothe ends of said rectangle and to the said wire forms, said brace beingdisposed substantially midway between the sides of said rectangle; firstreceptacle means for holding said electric lamp bulbs, said firstreceptacle means comprising selected portions of said rectangle, saidwire forms, and said curvilinear brace; and second receptacle means forholding said electric lamp bulbs, said second receptacle meanscomprising selected portions of said wire forms and said curvilinearbrace, said first and second receptacle means being alternately disposedwith relation to said curvilinear brace, said first receptacle meansbeing disposed toward the inner side of said rectangle and said secondreceptacle means being disposed toward the outer side of said rectangle.e

7. A foldable wire rack for storing electric lamp bulbs or the likeasclaimed in claim 6 further characterized by providing each of said endsof said rectangle with a pair of downwardly extending crimps, one ofsaid crimps being disposed adjacent to each of the corners of saidrectangle.

8. A multiple utility rack formed of wire for storing electric lampbulbs or the like and other miscellaneous small household devicescomprising, in combination: a foldable wire rack for storing electriclamp bulbs as claimed in claim 7; a horizontal utility tray suspendedvertically underneath said foldable wire rack; and means for suspendingsaid tray from said foldable wire rack.

9. A multiple utility rack formed of wire for storing electric lampbulbs or the like and other miscellaneous small household devicescomprising, in combination: a foldable wire rack for storing electriclamp bulbs as claimed in claim 7; a first horizontal utility traysuspended vertically underneath said foldable wire rack; suspensionmeans for suspending said first tray from said foldable wire rack; aplurality of horizontal utility trays suspended vertically underneathsaid foldable wire rack and said first utility tray; and suspensionmeans for said plurality of horizontal utility trays whereby each ofsaid plurality of trays is suspended from the horizontal tray nextabove.

10. A multiple utility rack as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of saidhorizontal utility trays comprises: a rectangle of wire having tworelatively longer sides and two shorter ends; a pair of downwardlyextending crimps formed in each of the ends of said rectangle, one ofsaid crimps being disposed adjacent to each of the corners of saidrectangle; a plurality of downwardly extending flat bottom U-shapedwires secured transversely of said rectangle, said wires being disposedin parallel relationship to each other and the ends of said rectangle;one or more longitudinal wire braces secured to the underside of saidfiat-bottomed U-shaped wires, said braces being disposed in parallelrelationship to the sides of said rectangle; and suspension meansmovably secured to the ends of said rectangle, each of said suspensionmeans being secured to one of said ends of said rectangle adjacent toone of said crimps but disposed outwardly thereof.

11. A multiple utility rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of saidsuspensions means comprises a length of wire having a closed loop at oneend for movably securing said length of wire to an end of saidrectangle, said closed loop being disposed outwardly adjacent to one ofsaid crimps, and an open hook-shaped bend at the other end forconnecting each of said suspension means into the correspondingdownwardly extending crimp of the rack or tray structure next above.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS906,894 Kevorkian Dec. 15, 1908 909,497 Williams Jan. 12, 1909 2,585,360Williams Feb. 12, 1952 2,746,609 Welsh May 22, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS58,060 Denmark Sept. 30, 1940

